I'm new & have questions about watering etc!

[Monnydite]

I am amazed at finding this very active forum whilst I was trying to find out how to rent an allotment in my area!

I don't actually have an allotment yet, (my Dad had one when I was a child and I loved being there) I was just surfing the internet trying to find out if any were any available in my area and where they were actually located.

If I did manage to rent an allotment, one of my concerns is, how often one would have to water everything you've planted? I think if I had to go too often, the novelty might wear off! My Husband already thinks I'm mad even thinking about an allotment, but I really want to grow my own fruits and veg. I do have a garden but we are moving house this year so I think it's a bit pointless planting anything much as I probably won't be able to take it with me to a new house, so this is where the idea of an allotment came from really.

I am also very much in to organic foods.  How would I know how organic a previous owner might have been or wouldn't it matter as long as I only use organic fertilizers etc?

Lastly, can anyone tell me roughly the cost of renting an allotment?  I saw a forum member has one in Commercial Road, Staines which happens to be the closest one to me, if you read this, how much is yours? Or I will go to the string on 'Where is your Allotment' and PM him/her (presume you can do that on this website).

Thanks for any replies.

Monica

[Monnydite]

[redimp]

I hardly ever water.  There are basically two schools.  The grow 'em hard - like me.  Let them look after themselves.  They want to survive and will go deep to find water if they have to.  Only water when it is absolutely dry or when they have just been sown or planted out.  The other school waters regularly but I think this plumps out the produce making it more like supermarket produce.  It also leads to shallow roots which get fried in the hot sun.  Whichever route you decide to follow stick with it because once uyou start watering, you have to keep on watering because the plants get lazy and don't go looking for it.

[Weed-Digga]

Hi Monnydite and welcome. I am new to this lottie lark too, and ask loads of ignorant questions, and everyone is kind and helpful. We have an allotment in Slough, the rent is about £22 a year, half that if you're retired.

[betula]

Hello,I will try to answer some of your questions.Watering depends on the crop and the weather conditions eg Potatoes do not need to much watering where Lettuce does.You also need to visit your plot to keep on top of weeds etc.Allotments tend to take up a lot of your time.
I have never paid more than £35 per year.
I would think you would find it difficult to know how organic a previous plot holder had been.Unless you are very lucky your plot is likely to be overgrown.Good luck with it all. :)

[asbean]

Welcome, Monny!  You'll find the answers to all your questions here.  Good luck with finding a plot - read up all you can now so you will be prepared and let us know how you get on  :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

[Robert_Brenchley]

I very rarely water unless a plant is in a container. The only time anything's ever suffered was in the drought two summers back, when I lost a couple of fruit trees.

[kt.]

I was just surfing the internet trying to find out if any were any available in my area and where they were actually located.

If I did manage to rent an allotment, one of my concerns is, how often one would have to water everything you've planted? I think if I had to go too often, the novelty might wear off!

I am also very much in to organic foods.  How would I know how organic a previous owner might have been or wouldn't it matter as long as I only use organic fertilizers etc?

Lastly, can anyone tell me roughly the cost of renting an allotment? 
Monica

Your questions:

1)  Check with your local parish or council for allotments in your area.

2)  I water a maximum of once weekly, but usually a little less. Things get watered more when they are just starting off. The greenhouse gets watered 2 x weekly depending upon the heat.

3)  You say " the novelty might wear off". I have my allotment as my hobby. But like anything - if it becomes a chore then it could be time to reconsider. (no offence meant)

4)  As for the previous owner being organic? Unless you speak to her/him direct then there is little chance of finding out exactly. You may still get some drifts of chemicals from lottie neighbours who are not as organic as you wish to be.
(Do a search on this site. The topic has been bought up before.)

5)  I pay £20 per year for 90x30yds. Click on this link for what others are paying:

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,37173.0.html

Hope these help.

[Lauren S]

Hi Monica and welcome to A4A.

Can I make a few suggestions?

1. First of all get your name down asap for an allotment in and around the area of your new home.
2. While you are waiting you could always grow some veg in trugs or tubs. These you can take with you when you move or plant out on your new lottie  ;D
3. When you do get offered an allotment, ask the lottie neighbours lots of questions.
4. Keep visiting the lottie as often as you can (this is what I did), this way they can see that you are keen and you may learn of any plots that might be coming vacant.
5. Don't rely on the websites for plot secretary info. It could be out of date. This is another good reason to visit the lottie site and get updated info.
6. If you are fortunate enough to be offered a choice of plots, take into consideration how far the plot is away from the gate/car park. You will always have *stuff* you want to unload. Where the taps are (if there are any). Which way the sun rises and sets. The bottom of a hill can possibly be a frost pocket. A middle plot isn't that bad. It might not have as much protection from winds as an outside plot BUT, more often than not they get less vandalism or items taken.

Just a few organic foods for thought  ;D

[caseylee]

Normal rate for our allotment is £38 for  full one and 18.50 for half plot.  I have a small pump facilities by mine for water which is included in the price.  I am also new ( oct last year) and am still trying to get my plot ready to plant in.  My husband and I both work, and I have two young boys.  I do it  to relax, you would not believe what a good stress reliever it is, and my boys love going down there to dig.  I have been advised to water my plot about 3 times a week, I'm lucky in the fact that I live only a 5 minute walk from mine.  I have just been given a greenhouse and a waterbutt for a fellow freecyle group so I am going to use that as my water source, just don't let it go stagnant.  To get a allotment I went through my local council who gave me a choice of the free ones avail and then I was on my way
I want to grow my veg without any chemicals as I have pets that live off lettuce and this was my main goal behind getting a lottie as the they cost me a fortune to feed.
Hope this helps

[springbok]

Hi Monica,

Good advice been given by everyone here.

I on the other hand do not have an allotment, as my local parish council does not supply them.  I would have to travel to another town to have one which would not suit me being a single mom with two children.

However, I dug two small plots in my garden and doing the square foot method of gardening organic vegetables which is great.  I too got a greenhouse on freecycle and a plastic greenhouse, and a small coldframe.

From this forum I have learnt that I can grow anything in a pot :)  Maybe a way to start off and learn what you can about growing your own with out the commitment to a plot.   Even in my small garden I have found it to be lots of work and maintaining.

I also do it for a hobby and to relax from stresses of daily life!!. 
;D ;D ;D

[caseylee]

I have only just got my allotment but I agree with sprinkbokkegirlie I used to grow tons in pots ( most never grew cause I was cluless before this site) but I had great fun doing it, and nothing taste better that fresh veg picked and cooked straight away

[Tee Gee]

There is a bit about watering here; http://tinyurl.com/yw6j8n

I haven't had this years bill yet but last year it was £12-50 (£6 rent+£6-50 water) for a full plot.

Pensioners are half price or in supermarket jargon two for the price of one.

[manicscousers]

hiya, monica, nice to meet you, some of us mulch our plants to stop the need for watering, just cover between the rows with things, compost, straw,even newspaper or plastic, after rain, preferably..this stops the water evaporating, there have been lots of discussions on here, if you'd like to search  :)

[wheelabo]

Hi Monica and welcome.  I'm new too.  We started digging our allotment last week.  My husband has the same view as yours and has moaned every day before we've gone there but once we are there he loves it.  Everyone's really helpful on this site so I am sure they will be able to answer your questions.  I agree you should get your name on the waiting list asap.  I waited over a year and then didnt get one nearest to me.  Keep checking council website for availability.  I have paid £24/£25 per year with one off £25 admin fee.